EXCLUSIVE: Marvel Studios Looking For A Gay Asian Lead For ‘The Eternals’

Production on The Eternals is looking to kickoff this summer. Consequently, Marvel Studios is looking to nail down its cast.

Previously we provided you an exclusive story about Marvel’s desire to cast an openly gay male lead. Now we can bring this additional, exclusive information from That Hashtag Show: we can confirm that the studio is seeking an actor to fill the role of James, who is “intellectual, emotional, and has a strong sense of family.” Specifically, the studio is looking at openly gay/bisexual Asian actors in their 20’s.

One name we hear is at the top of Marvel’s list for the role is Conrad Ricamora. He’s currently starring in How To Get Away With Murder. We have not heard back from Ricamora’s agent.

The Eternals Casting Continues

Angelina Jolie is already on board and will reportedly play Sersei. Kumail Nanjiani has boarded the project in a currently unknown role as well. Those on Internet are speculating it could be Makkari.

Details about the film are still tightly under wraps. However, we do know that it will center on the Jack Kirby-created comic, The Eternals. The story line follows super- powered and near-immortal beings known as Eternals. They battle with a more monstrous offshoot known as the Deviants. Deviants arose at the hands of the cosmic beings called Celestials (a race featured in the Guardians of the Galaxy films).

Chloe Zhao, an award-winning indie director behind the critical hits The Rider and Songs My Brothers Taught Me, will helm from a script by Matthew and Ryan Firpo.

About The Author

Skyler has been writing about film for 5 years now. His strengths and knowledge are in the Disney Company and its enormous library of past, present, and future film content. His work can also be found over on TheDisInsider.com Skyler is currently enrolled at LA Film School taking Entertainment Business.

Eric

Bill C

Why does Hollywood limit Asian males to gay roles? Why not have a Black gay character. Gay Asian is a false stereotype that Hollywood perpetuates. It is un-PC to speak against casting Asian males as gays. But this is a form of glass ceiling that Hollywood is using to prevent Asian males from playing masculine lead roles. Furthermore, Hollywood loves to cast Asian females with so-called “Great White Knights.” By de-sexualizing Asian males, Hollywood fills that gap with White males. This is RACISM that most people bbn overlook because they only focus on racism toward other colors.

April 17, 2019

Picktick

Someone has to be gay to get this job? Descrimination laws

April 17, 2019

Valts

I know PERFECT match for this!
Really !

April 17, 2019

Chris

“intellectual, emotional, and has a strong sense of family.” only a gay asian guy can fill that role? I know nothing about the eternals but if the character was described as gay I’m all for it. STOP TRYING TO CHECKMARK A DAMN BOX AND LOOK FOR GOOD ACTORS BEFORE THE SEXUAL ORIENTATION. Hope marvel shits the bed and DC puts out nothing but great movies .

April 19, 2019

Jason

I understand inclusion for groups that aren’t usually represented but I don’t think sexual orientation should be a consideration for a movie role. If the main character will be gay in the movie then it might be a comfort thing but just to hire a gay actor just for the sake of inclusion is lame. I understand more if they are looking for a racially specific character but just about any actor could act gay if it’s needed for the role.

April 18, 2019

Navi

Marvel’s logic is that all of us Asian guys are gay.

April 18, 2019

Yvan French

Bill C why should it be a black gay character? You sound like your racist against black people like many asians are. I understand your anger towards the gay asian stereotype. I agree with you on that but to deflect it on to another race is just wrong.

April 18, 2019

James F Reynolds

Why not just cast for what the character calls for. Whatever sex,race etc.Stop trying to play to the whims of classes of people.Make the character to comic portrays.If you want to make a brand new character…then create away and make them anything you like.This way you can keep peace with everyone….if that’s your intention.

April 18, 2019

674

Marvel movies are going to virtue signal and go ahead with a hardcore agenda politics push like the stuff that’s turned their books and sales into a dumpster fire? Hard pass on the next phase of movies then.

April 18, 2019

ApekLejen

Didn’t know your sexual orientation is visible on-screen.

April 19, 2019

Nicholas Smith

My question is who the Hell cares who the actor is or what he does in his real life? If you want an Asian looking dude, black guy, or white guy that makes sense. But who someone screws in reality shouldn’t matter. I thought actors were paid to pretend.

April 19, 2019

JR

So if the character is gay so be it. I understand the need for an Asian actor to play an Asian character. The idea that you need a gay actor to play a gay character is ridiculous. Military movies are made constantly or even more ofter ex soldier or cop movies. Never have I seen those actors needing military experience. I don’t really understand not offering this role to the best Asian Actor available. Pingoen holding this role to go to only a gay Asian is as discriminatory as put out an casting call for only a straight Asian would be. This is that far left political practice that feeds the far right.

April 19, 2019

JR

So if the character is gay so be it. I understand the need for an Asian actor to play an Asian character. The idea that you need a gay actor to play a gay character is ridiculous. Military movies are made constantly or even more often ex soldier or cop movies. Never have I seen those actors needing military experience. I don’t really understand not offering this role to the best Asian Actor available. Pingoen holeing this role to go to only a gay Asian is as discriminatory as put out an casting call for only a straight Asian would be. This is that far left political practice that feeds the far right.

April 19, 2019

Butthurt Fan

Jesus, you people are big triggered. I wonder if any of you realize that homosexuality isn’t allowed to be shown in movies in China. But yeah, f*** gay Asian male actors, right? Making a space for them to work and have careers sucks!!

April 19, 2019

nightwing23

Uh, we’re sick of watching straight actors getting accolades for playing gay roles. It would be a nice change to see an lgbtq actor play a gay superhero role in the MCU.

April 21, 2019

Amerced

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

May 2, 2019

Lars

I bet if we comment using our Facebook profiles here instead of anonymous, this article won’t get these idiotic comments as seen above.

May 3, 2019

Will

Of course the only few times there’s an Asian male lead role, Hollywood makes him gay…fuck Hollywood and its agenda

David Y

So sad that they’ve become so bigoted. Casting based on sexual preference is shameful and is meant to be illegal. Hiring based on talent and merit used to be the name of the day, now they openly discriminate based on sexuality. Decades of fighting for equality, but discrimination still exists. Sad.